The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Robbery Unit is asking for the public’s help in locating William Charles Allen (DOB 3/14/79). Allen has been identified as the suspect in an armed robbery that occurred at the BB&T Bank on Wednesday, January 20, 2010. Allen has been known to carry a firearm and is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information on William Allen’s whereabouts is asked to call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at (239) 477-1000, or the Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for up to $1,000 in cash rewards.

***ORIGINAL RELEASE 1/20/10 3:43 p.m.***

Detectives Search For Bank Robbery Suspect

On Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at approximately 11:12 A.M., deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the BB&T Bank, located at 18031 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, in reference to a bank robbery. Investigators learned a man entered the bank and approached a bank teller. The man placed an unknown object on the counter and implied it was an explosive device. He then left the building with an undisclosed amount of cash. There were no injuries during the incident and no customers were inside the bank during the robbery.

Due to the nature of the situation, the bank was evacuated and members of the Southwest Florida Regional Bomb Squad responded to address the suspicious device left behind by the suspect. Meanwhile, detectives with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Robbery Unit responded to assume the robbery investigation. While robbery detectives spoke with bank employees and witnesses about the robbery, members of the bomb squad worked to secure the bank and determine the nature of the suspicious package.

Bomb squad members determined the object was not explosive and not a threat to the public. Robbery detectives describe the suspect as a white male in his mid 20s to early 30s, 160 to 170lbs, 5’10” to 6’0″, with slight facial hair. He was wearing dark sunglasses, a hat, long sleeve shirt and a band-aid under his right eye. He is believed to have left the bank on foot.

Anyone who can help identify this individual is asked to call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at (239) 477-1000, or the Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for up to $1,000 in cash rewards.

Source: Lee County Sheriff’s Office